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When California's John Perez becomes the openly gay Speaker, he won't be the first. |
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Phil Reese, February 12, 20010 -- Two months ago, Assemblyman John Perez became the first openly gay person selected for state House Speaker in history, but when he gets sworn in on March 1, he will be the second openly gay person to assume that position.
Yesterday, The Rhode Island House of Representatives selected and swore in Majority Leader Gordon Fox as the 222nd Speaker of one of the oldest legislatures in the nation. The legislature of predominately Catholic state of Rhode Island--which is only one of two New England states without marriage equality, and the only state to never have passed a marriage equality bill--is now being led by an openly gay African American. In March, 4% of state legislatures in America will be led by out and proud gay folks.
This is real progress.
In 1989 Republican US Senator Mark Hatfield's political career was nearly ruined when he was outed by Michael Petrelis at a fundraiser as he was supporting anti-gay legislation proposed by Jesse Helms. At that time, being openly gay was a death sentence for a political career. Barbara Jordan, the first southern African American woman to serve in the United States House of Representatives, remained closeted for her entire life, despite her life-long partnership with Nancy Earl.
When Wisconsin Republican Steve Gunderson was outed in 1996 on the House Floor during the debate for the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, he became the first openly gay Republican in the US legislature, however he chose not to seek reelection. However, another Republican in that debate--Arizona's Jim Kolbe--who voted for the legislation was outed after his vote, and became a vocal LGBT rights supporter for the remainder of his tenure in the house--another ten years. Both are outspoken LGBT rights activists today.
While John Perez is a young, recently elected lawmaker in California, Fox is a veteran of Rhode Island politics, having been elected in 1993. He's served as the Majoirty leader since 2002, and came out publicly in 2004, with no detriment to his political career.
Fox's elevation is so important--not because he's the first gay state House Speaker to be sworn-in--but because he is also African American. When John Perez assumes the role of Speaker in California, neither of America's two openly-gay state House Speakers will be white. This is an interesting moment for our movement--a movement whose major political organizations tend to be headed by not just men, but white men. Perez's and Fox's respective elevations show in a very public way, the diversity in our movement.
As we reach for equality in the larger liberty, freedom and equality struggle in America, our movement is often taken less seriously than others whenever the question of leadership comes up. Wealthy white men make terrible cases for a need for liberation. Although those of us in Central and Southern Illinois know what struggling means, not to mention how much harder it is to achieve your goals and live your life when you're gay; the general image is that of the whiney wealthy white guy. Its unfortunate.
Fox's and Perez's new role as leaders are good for their states, because both men are hard-working and well-loved. However, in terms of securing gender identity and sexual orientation employment non-discrimination nation wide, repealing the military ban on gays and lesbians, and securing relationship recognition to end taxation and rights and privilege discrimination; the selection of these two men by their peers just plain looks good for us. We are a diverse community. We are men and women. We are all races, colors and creeds. We come from the city and the country. We work in factories, on farms and in board-rooms. In short, we represent America itself.
Congratulations go to Gorgon Fox and the state of Rhode Island, as well as John Perez and California. I look forward to seeing what this will mean for their states and for the United States of America. |
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...on Jacob as an LGBT candidate for a Federal office |
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Phil Reese January 23, 2010For Dane Tidwell, one of Jacob Meister’s outreach directors, getting the LGBT voice to the Senate floor will be crucial to have our rights get a fair hearing.
“People who have not been through our issues are not going to understand our issues. Until you have been made fun of for being gay, or until you’ve been afraid to hold someone’s hand in public, you can’t understand what it means to be gay. For a straight elected official to say they know where we’re coming from, it’s a little condescending. Jacob’s experienced our issues first hand. From the political strategy side of it—what do you do when you have two constituency groups to choose between? Politicians pick the larger constituency and that won’t be LGBT. We always get the backseat.”
“I’m not running BECAUSE I’m gay. I’ve been surprised that the LGBT aspect has taken on greater significance than I originally anticipated.” Jacob Mesiter said on the historical nature of his run, “I’m getting much more of a sense that sending someone to the Senate is really important for the LGBT community. It’s a civil rights barrier that needs to be broken. We’ve become very accustomed in the LGBT community to elected officials making promises that aren’t kept.” He discussed broken promises that some allies—including those in the Illinois Senate—have left us with. “There’s a very significant part of the LGBT community not willing to stand up for that stuff because they’re entrenched in the existing system and don’t want to shake things up. I’ve been experiencing it even myself. There’s a fair number supporting Alexi, because he’s a known quantity and they’re comfortable accepting the status quo.”
“Its disturbing that the leadership within the LGBT community is so tolerant of political pandering that’s been going on, and there’s not more of a movement to hold elected officials accountable to punish enemies and reward our friends. And so as I’m going through the campaign I’ve realized how important it is—not only in Illinois, but nationally—for LGBT people to have someone on the floor of the Senate to provide perspective that isn’t currently there.”
“The big question is: do we care enough to really help turn voters out and make the effort that its going to take to rack up the votes. There’s still an amazing opportunity because there’s almost 50% undecided. Particularly downstate.”
For Loren Linder, campaign Finance Director, its about more than just Jacob’s sexual orientation, “the opportunity to have someone openly gay speaking for us on the senate floor is amazing. My greatest desire is to be a father, and watching the state-by state events of the last year—especially in Arkansas with the adoption amendment—infuriated me. To have the opportunity to have someone like Jacob to bring our issues to the Senate floor and speak for us just speaks volumes to me.” Linder, however, insists he’s “not a single issue voter.”
“The opportunity to have a progressive Democrat from Illinois is of great interest to me. To not be a part of the political machine or have special interest in his back pocket is important to me so he can truly be the voice of Illinois and the voice of the people.”
“Jacob is part of so many communities,” Karen Craven, Meister’s media director explains. “I hope to God we capitalize on the lessons we’ve learned from Obama’s election. For the betterment of our state and our country.”
CHECK BACK SOON FOR MORE ABOUT JACOB MEISTER IN THE WORDS OF HIS ADMIRING CAMPAIGN TEAM! |
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The American LGBT Decade 2000-2009 |
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Technically we're still a bit over 365 days until the end of the decade--we began in year 1 not year zero--but who wants to miss the boat on a trend? The last ten years have been a roller-coaster ride for the American LGBT community, but luckily, we seem to be ending off better than we started.
The end of the nineties saw some of the most celebrated moments in gay history: the coming-out of Ellen and Elton, and the premier of Will and Grace. We also we horrified as a community by the headline-grabbing brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, which eventually led--eleven years later--to the creation of a Federal hate crimes law that protects LGBT people. The decade that brought us "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and DOMA would soon be topped by the decade that brought us Dumbledore and GaGa.
2000: The decade began on a high note, despite George W. Bush's election, and Mississippi's enactment of a gay adoption ban. While in the United Kingdom, the ban on gay soldiers was lifted, and Israel began to let same-sex partners sponsor one another for citizenship, over here in the United States, Vermont became the first state to legalize same-sex Civil Unions. Openly gay Richard Hatch becomes the first winner of Survivor. Savage Garden's Darren Hayes comes out. The Millenium March for LGBT rights in Washington DC draws 600,000 people to a day of concerts and Melissa Etheridge. President Clinton addresses the crowd via video.
2001-2002: Besides the striking down of Sodomy prohibitions in Arizona and Arkansas and the addition of gender identity to Rhode Island anti-discrimination laws, not tons wonderful happens for us in these years besides the premier of Queer As Folk on Showtime, and the decision to film Further Tales of the City based on the popularity of the original PBS run of Tales of the City. Jason and DeMarco become the first ever openly gay couple in Christian Rock. Michael Stipe and Lily Tomlin, Rosie O'Donnell and NFL star Esra Tuaolo come out. Jim Verraros comes out after being voted off American Idol 2002. The Netherlands becomes the first country in the world to legalize marriage equality--and the sky doesn't fall. The next year (not to be shown up) Belgium does the same. Openly gay Mark Bingham became one of four heroes who bring down a United Airlines flight over Pennsylvania taken over by hi-jackers on September 11, 2001. While Maryland and New York both get employment discrimination banned based on sexual orientation, they leave gender identity behind, and never come back for it.
2003: While half the citizens of Canada become eligible for marriage equality, we still have a pretty good year when the United States Supreme Court strikes down all remaining state sodomy laws in June's Lawrence V. Texas. Antonin Scalia, of course, makes a point to write as homophobic as possible dissent, deciding the main decent--written by Justice Renquist--wasn't hateful enough. Richard Chamberlain of Thornbirds fame comes out, while Reichen Lemkuhl and his partner Chip Arndt win Season Four of the Amazing Race. Before the year ends, the Massachusetts High Court has ruled banning marriage equality was unconstitutional. New Mexico and California add gender identity to their anti-discrimination laws.
2004: Begins with a bang when openly gay Eugene Robinson is elevated to Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, becoming the first openly gay man to do so in the church, and causing a major fracture. Open lesbian Scout Cloud Lee competes on Survivor, but does not make it all the way to the end. Upon the announcement that relationship recognition would be expanded over on the East Coast--not to be outdone--San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsome begins to offer Marriage licenses to all couples at city hall until he is stopped by the Supreme Court. This was followed by the legalization of marriage equality in Massachusetts, and the legalization of Civil Unions in New Jersey. This is quickly followed by the revelation that that state's Governor, Jim McGreevey. Maine throws the Domestic Partnership bone at its citizens. But just when we think we may be catching a break, that November 11 states write discrimination into their constitutions, forever guaranteeing that same-sex relationships will never be recognized in those states. One of those states--Michigan--goes as far as to say that same-sex couples may not jointly adopt now too. Public opinion in favor of Civil Unions is above 50% for the first time, however.
2005: While Spain and Canada make all marriages equal, George Takei--Star Trek's Sulu--comes out. It wasn't marriage, but Connecticut begins offering Civil Unions. New Hampshire gets jealous and starts doing the same two years later. California's legislature tries unsuccessfully to legalize marriage equality but are vetoed by the Governator. Brokeback Mountain won our hearts but lost the Oscar for best picture to Crash. Meanwhile, TransAmerica made Felicity Huffman a household name (even my mom loved that movie), and Rent made it from Broadway to the bigscreen. Tab Hunter, Ellen's girlfriend Portia De Rossi and "It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To" singer Lesley Gore all come out. While Queer As Folk ends its run, Viacom launches LOGO, an all gay and lesbian television network. Meanwhile, the South African Supreme Court legalizes marriage equality, with the law going into effect a year later. Illinois, Maine and Hawaii all ban discrimination based on sexual orientation AND gender identity, while the District of Columbia adds gender identity to their existing law.
2006: Lance Bass comes out. T.R. Knight comes out. Neil Patrick Harris comes out. Cynthia Nixon comes out. Even Johnny Mathis comes out! After fierce lobbying, the Federal Constitutional marriage discrimination amendment is defeated in the Republican controlled Congress. A few months later--rocked by months of scandals--Republicans lose both houses of Congress. Arizona is the first state to vote down a marriage discrimination constitutional amendment. New Jersey and Washington add gender identity to their non-discrimination laws.
2007: NBA star John Amaechi comes out. David Hyde Pearce of Fraiser comes out. Suze Orman becomes the most trusted lesbian in finance. Washington gets Domestic Partnership protections for same-sex couples. Oregon, Colorado and Iowa all ban employment and housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, while Vermont adds gender identity to their existing law. New Hampshire starts handing out Civil Unions. LOGO gathers all of the Democratic candidates for President together for the first ever televised candidate forum on LGBT issues before a major national election; unfortunately Bill Richardson leaves his brain at home.
2008: Milk wins big at the Oscars, with a major speech by writer Dustin Lance Black. Wanda Sykes, Clay Aiken, and Lindsay Lohan come out. Washington D.C., Maryland and Oregon begin offering Domestic Partnerships. The Supreme Court in Connecticut finds in favor of marriage equality with a law going into effect in 2009. New York finally decides to start recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages, but won't get some of their own. California's Supreme Court also strikes down that state's marriage ban. Even Norway gets in on the marriage equality fun. The year was both yin and yang, though. Even though in November Barack Obama defeated John McCain to become the first non-white President of the United States of America, that same night the people of California ended marriage equality in that state, though retaining domestic partnerships. That same night, Arkansas (a state that bans marriage equality) bans adoption by any unmarried couples--a similar law was passed in Utah in 2000, and reinforced in 2007.
2009: This year may have been the biggest rollercoaster ride of all. Though we didn't get the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (though the vast majority of Americans support it), or a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (though we found out 70% of America supports its lifting) or DOMA as we had all felt we'd been promised, we did get a Presidential memo extending some partnership benefits to Federal Employees, a lift of the HIV travel ban, and the coveted Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes bill signed into law. Sweden, Austria, Mexico City and several other places in the world welcome marriage equality.
State-to-state, however, this year was even more of a minefield. Delaware passes an employment non-discrimination law that curiously leaves out gender identity. Colorado passes a law creating designated beneficiaries, much like a domestic partner--only less sexy. Wisconsin and Nevada's new laws opt for the latter more risque term. States from Iowa to Vermont to New Hampshire to Maine all legalized marriage equality. Maine, however, took a step back when the citizens voted to repeal that equality--though Washington Domestic Partnerships were expanded on the same day. And though attempts to pass marriage equality in New York and New Jersey both failed, weeks before the end of the decade Houston, Texas became the largest city in America with an openly lesbian mayor, and Washington D.C. became the newest place in America were same-sex couples could marry under the law.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints surprised the hell out of everyone by supporting and helping push through an employment non-discrimination law in Salt Lake. This was of course after having a gay couple arrested for kissing too close to the Temple. At least they weren't in the Eagle in Atlanta or at the Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth Texas--they'd have been injured while being carted off in paddy wagons during a Stonewall-like raid. In fact, the Fort Worth raid just happened to occur on the 40th anniversary of one of the single most important events in LGBT history--the Stonewall riots. A virtual avalanche of outings capped off a banner year, however, with openly gay Ryan Murphy-created Glee making famous openly gay Chris Colfer, Arab linguist Lt. Dan Choi comes out and becomes the national symbol of the ineffectiveness of "Don't Ask Don't Tell," Family Ties mom Meredith Baxter, M*A*S*H's David Odgen Stiers, and Top Gun's Kelly McGillis all come out, while American Idol runner up Adam Lambert confirms what everyone already knew--and sells millions of albums in the process.
After a decade like this, there's no telling if we're done yet. With days to go, anything could happen. And the 'teens promise to be the biggest LGBT decade yet. Public opinion grows in our favor more and more every year. A majority of America support ending "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and employment discrimination for LGBT people, as well as support creating Civil Unions for same-sex couples. We're well on our way. Maybe the 'teens will see Illinois joining the pantheon on marriage equality states... The sky is the limit! |
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California Makes history again: John A. Perez is USA's first openly gay state legislature speaker |
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Phil Reese December 11, 2009--The California Assembly, Thursday, chose openly gay latino Democrat, Los Angeles' John A. Perez as the Speaker of that house, replacing the outgoing Karen Bass leaving under term limits. The public vote won't be held until January, but the result of the Assembly Democrats' closed-door session is known and is now being celebrated around the nation. 
This first term lawmaker, and cousin of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, received unanimous support from the state's Democratic leadership, and was formerly nominated by a formal rival for the post, Representative Kevin de Leon. Speaking yesterday to the Sacramento Bee, Perez said "I think it's a big task," he said. "It's a task that's not just laid on one person, it's laid on the Assembly collectively. And I think with the support of all my colleagues, I'm absolutely up to it."
Upon election, Perez stepped up quickly in the role of Democratic caucus chairman in charge of leading the 51 member majority group through some tough decisions in the one of the worst budgetary years in California history.
Perez is elected out of a very Democratic district, which means he could potentially hold the Speaker spot for up to five years; that is unless he is challenged by fellow Democrat, term-limited State Senator Gil Cedillo in a primary next June.
John Perez is not just one of our own. According to long-time openly-gay journalist, Karen Ocamb, Perez has been a strong fighter for people with AIDS and HIV since the early 90s, and has been heavily involved in the LA-based Stonewall Democratic club since its founding, working hard to get effective pro-LGBT leaders elected to office in California, Karen Ocamb's home state.
With huge recent HIV/AIDS funding cuts, this is a crucial note in this historic election. More importantly, Perez will lead the state Assembly through some of the toughest economic times it will ever face. If Perez is able to broker substantial peace in the legislature as contentious debate rages over which services and projects are cut, he will surely be regarded as hero.
What will this mean for the LGBT community nationwide? Very good news.
If Perez is a successful leader, and helps steer California out of its budgetary chasm, gay candidates for office nation-wide will be able to point to this as evidence that gay candidates are just as viable to be effective leaders. Why would we need gay elected officials? While also making education, economy, health-care, jobs, the environment, education and safety priorities, LGBT lawmakers are unlikely to drop the ball on important pro-gay and pro-transgender legislation. While allies have been very effective in getting pro-equality legislation passed nationwide, here in Illinois we see that having allies in the legislature just isn't enough. While we have plenty of allies willing to introduce and cosponsor our bills, rarely are they willing to invest time in moving them forward through the passage process.
A great example of this is the marriage bill introduced in the Illinois Senate this year by ally Heather Steans. Though her intentions were certainly noble, there was--as there usually isn't--any follow through. Without out lawmakers in the legislature, these pro-equality bills will often get pushed to the bottom of the docket.
Perez's elevation may help boost the campaigns of potential LGBT lawmakers across the nation. Getting more qualified openly gay people elected will mean getting more pro-equality bills beyond the photo-op press-release-friendly introduction stage, and closer to passage.
According to every source from Republican leaders to Democratic leaders to LGBT leaders even to Governor Schwartzenegger; John Perez is an effective leader and a hard-working public servant. He is not only gay, he is heavily qualified for the job. In the coming months we will all be watching Perez to see how he is able to overcome the great obstacles he will doubtlessly face, and look to him for inspiration as we try to move all of our priorities forward. |
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